Regarded as one of the UK's best lyricist and brightest talents,
Mike Skinner (aka The Streets) finally registered with the EmpyreLounge.com.
Not ones to just buy into the hype of an artist, The Streets
has an impeccable style and delivery that is unlike anything
you will hear in the US. You definitely can not call The Streets
as the "next big thing" anymore, his time has arrived.

38 Buddahead, Crossing the Invisible LineFalling in with a great debut

Raman Kia may be Buddahead but this is surely no one-trick pony,
as Buddahead may have started as a solo project, it now is definitly
a band, a very good band. With clever and honest writing, the
songs on Crossing the Invisible Line are what set it
apart from the majority of other releases of the year. Buddahead,
is one of the rising stars in music.

It is always tough for a band that has been around a while
to follow up the CD/single that shot them to stardom. Some
crumble at the pressure but Jimmy Eat World have come out
firing with one of the best CDs of their career. Always a
sucker for great melodies and vocal harmonies, Futures
is a record that you will be hearing a lot more from in 2005.

Muse has been called a Radiohead knock-off since they started...and
there are a lot worse things that you can call a band. This
trio is known for their tremendous live shows and Absolution
is the culmination of a band bringing their terrific live sound
into the studio and finally being able to capture it.

One of the breakthrough stars of 2004. The Los Lonely Boys burst
onto the scene this year with the infectious "Heaven"
and just kept rising from there. With a boost from one of their
biggest fans, Willie Nelson, the Los Lonely Boys have burst
onto the scene with 4 Grammy nominations including Best Song
and Best New Artist. Expect to hear more in the future from
them.

After the breakup of Buckcherry and flirting with joining the
project that eventually became Velvet Revolver, Josh Todd decided
to go back to his roots and just have fun making music. He answered
an add looking for a singer and struck gold. Todd is that ultimate
frontman and a throwback to the rock of old with his bombast.
You Made Me shows Todd & band at their best.

What do you do to top an epic 69 Songs About Love trilogy?
Well you go concept again with great songs brought to you by
the letter I. Songwriter, producer, instrumentalist Stephin
Merritt is the brains behind the Magnetic Fields and one of
the truly underrated artists in music today.

Philly is showing up on the list once again in a big way. These
rockers got a big push opening for the re-united Van Hagar this
summer and had a great chance to show off one of the best new
rock records in years. Silvertide is a classic rock band with
its solid writing, sweeping hooks, strong backbone and guitar,
the dynamic frontman, and most of all the attitude to take them
to the top.

A band that just keeps getting stronger and stronger with every
record. Initially incorrectly lumped in with the rap/rock craze,
Saliva continues to bring the arena rock sound back to the front
of the musical spectrum. Survival of the Sickest showcases
all the sides and tastes of Saliva and without a doubt is the
first CD to showcase the band's ferocious live sound on record.

Irish/Boston rockers who felt the sting of losing a label to
only grow stronger and improve. While Rise showcased
a more polished sound, Goodbye to All That showcases
that songwriter and more melodic side of the band. Here the
band lets everything fly and are true to themselves. The honesty
and emotions on the record bring the listener in and make it
a must listen.